WICHITA, Kan. — Wichita police have arrested an 18-year-old from Wichita, in connection with a shooting that left four people wounded.

Just before 3a.m. on October 12,&nbsp; police responded to a local hospital regarding multiple walk-in shooting victims. Upon arrival, officers located several individuals suffering from gunshot wounds.

Preliminary investigation revealed the victims were inside a vehicle at the intersection of Clifton and Morris in Wichita when an unknown suspect fired multiple shots at them.

The victims included a&nbsp;22-year-old woman who sustained an injury to her lower leg and was in stable condition.; a 21-year-old man with an injury to his lower leg and was in stable condition; a 19-year-old man with an injury to his midsection and was in stable condition and a 26-year-old man wath a gunshot wound to his upper body and was in critical condition.

Through the use of technology, including FLOCK, surveillance cameras, and NIBIN, investigators were able to identify and apprehend the 18-year-old suspect identified in booking records as Diego Murdock.

He has been arrested and is in custody on requested charges that include four counts of aggravated battery and one count of criminal discharge of a firearm into an occupied vehicle resulting in great bodily harm.&nbsp;

This case will be presented to the District Attorney’s Office for formal charges.

&nbsp;Anyone with information regarding this incident is encouraged to contact the Wichita Police Department Investigations Section at (316) 268-4407. Those wishing to remain anonymous can contact Crime Stoppers at (316) 267-2111.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/10/1760696893152.png" alt="Murdock photo Sedgwick County" />
 <figcaption>Murdock photo Sedgwick County</figcaption>
 </figure>WICHITA, Kan. — Wichita police have arrested an 18-year-old from Wichita, in connection with a shooting that left four people wounded.Just before 3a.m. on October 12,&nbsp; police responded to a local hospital regarding multiple walk-in shooting victims. Upon arrival, officers located several individuals suffering from gunshot wounds.Preliminary investigation revealed the victims were inside a vehicle at the intersection of Clifton and Morris in Wichita when an unknown suspect fired multiple shots at them.The victims included a&nbsp;22-year-old woman who sustained an injury to her lower leg and was in stable condition.; a 21-year-old man with an injury to his lower leg and was in stable condition; a 19-year-old man with an injury to his midsection and was in stable condition and a 26-year-old man wath a gunshot wound to his upper body and was in critical condition.Through the use of technology, including FLOCK, surveillance cameras, and NIBIN, investigators were able to identify and apprehend the 18-year-old suspect identified in booking records as Diego Murdock.He has been arrested and is in custody on requested charges that include four counts of aggravated battery and one count of criminal discharge of a firearm into an occupied vehicle resulting in great bodily harm.&nbsp;This case will be presented to the District Attorney’s Office for formal charges.&nbsp;Anyone with information regarding this incident is encouraged to contact the Wichita Police Department Investigations Section at (316) 268-4407. Those wishing to remain anonymous can contact Crime Stoppers at (316) 267-2111.

 Kansas teen jailed for shooting that left woman, 3 men injured

By MICHELLE CHAPMAN AP Business Writer

Ford is recalling more than 290,000 vehicles in the U.S. because the rearview camera system may not display images properly in certain lighting conditions, which could increase the risk of a crash.

The recall includes certain 2020-2022 F-250 SD, F-350 SD, and F-450 SD vehicles.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration's safety recall report said that Ford reviewed customer complaint data and warranty information to understand customer occurrences. The automaker said that as of Sept. 20, it was aware of 10 reports, with the first report occurring on Jan. 20, 2022.

Ford is not aware of any reports of accident or injury related to this condition.

The automaker's dealers will update the image processing module software of the impacted vehicles for free.

Interim letters are expected to be sent to vehicle owners on Oct. 20. Additional letters will be sent once the final remedy is available, which is anticipated for March 2026. Vehicle owners may call Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Individuals may also contact the NHTSA vehicle safety hotline at 1-888-327-4236 or go to www.nhtsa.gov.

By MICHELLE CHAPMAN AP Business WriterFord is recalling more than 290,000 vehicles in the U.S. because the rearview camera system may not display images properly in certain lighting conditions, which could increase the risk of a crash.The recall includes certain 2020-2022 F-250 SD, F-350 SD, and F-450 SD vehicles.The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration's safety recall report said that Ford reviewed customer complaint data and warranty information to understand customer occurrences. The automaker said that as of Sept. 20, it was aware of 10 reports, with the first report occurring on Jan. 20, 2022.Ford is not aware of any reports of accident or injury related to this condition.The automaker's dealers will update the image processing module software of the impacted vehicles for free.Interim letters are expected to be sent to vehicle owners on Oct. 20. Additional letters will be sent once the final remedy is available, which is anticipated for March 2026. Vehicle owners may call Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Individuals may also contact the NHTSA vehicle safety hotline at 1-888-327-4236 or go to www.nhtsa.gov.

Ford recalls 290,000 trucks due to issue with rearview camera system

It is not a year with presidential candidates, but the Alfred E. Smith&nbsp; Memorial Foundation dinner at the&nbsp;at Waldorf Astoria in New York City still raised a lot of fun and funds Thursday night.

Former Secretaries of State Mike Pompeo and&nbsp;Antony Blinken delivered lighthearted remarks.&nbsp;They shared their experiences working under different administrations and discussed many topics, including diplomacy, foreign policy, and the 2025 New York City Mayoral race. Pomopeo also discussed his weight loss.

<a href="https://www.c-span.org/program/public-affairs-event/former-secretaries-of-state-blinken-pompeo-at-alfred-e-smith-dinner/667251">Click here to watch a replay</a> of the fun at the dinner.

The white-tie dinner raises millions of dollars for Catholic charities and has traditionally offered candidates from both parties the chance to trade lighthearted barbs, poke fun at themselves and pretend to get along.

Pompeo was the nation’s top diplomat from 2018 to 2021 in the administration of President Donald Trump. He was the GOP congressman from Wichita from 2011 to 2017.

It is not a year with presidential candidates, but the Alfred E. Smith&nbsp; Memorial Foundation dinner at the&nbsp;at Waldorf Astoria in New York City still raised a lot of fun and funds Thursday night.Former Secretaries of State Mike Pompeo and&nbsp;Antony Blinken delivered lighthearted remarks.&nbsp;They shared their experiences working under different administrations and discussed many topics, including diplomacy, foreign policy, and the 2025 New York City Mayoral race. Pomopeo also discussed his weight loss.<div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-media-max-width="560">&quot;I&#39;ve lost over 90 pounds since leaving office.&quot; -- Mike Pompeo ... Al Smith dinner <a href="https://t.co/e10kfcNYNu">pic.twitter.com/e10kfcNYNu</a>&mdash; Howard Mortman (@HowardMortman) <a href="https://twitter.com/HowardMortman/status/1979207793082036425?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 17, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div><a href="https://www.c-span.org/program/public-affairs-event/former-secretaries-of-state-blinken-pompeo-at-alfred-e-smith-dinner/667251">Click here to watch a replay</a> of the fun at the dinner.The white-tie dinner raises millions of dollars for Catholic charities and has traditionally offered candidates from both parties the chance to trade lighthearted barbs, poke fun at themselves and pretend to get along.Pompeo was the nation’s top diplomat from 2018 to 2021 in the administration of President Donald Trump. He was the GOP congressman from Wichita from 2011 to 2017.

🎥Former Kan. Congressman a keynote roaster at Alfred E. Smith dinner

COWLEY COUNTY—Police and fire officials are investigating the cause of house fire in Arkansas City.

Just after 10:30 a.m. Thursday, the Arkansas City Fire/EMS Department responded to a fire in a home in the 300 block of North 8th Street, according to a media release.

Upon arrival, crews found a working fire in the northwest corner of the home, with flames extending into the attic. Firefighters made a quick entry and had water on the fire within about one minute.

According to Fire Marshal Gary Bowker, the fire was contained within five minutes. Crews remained on scene through much of the afternoon to check for and extinguish hot spots in the attic area. 

A primary search confirmed that no one was inside the home at the time of the fire, and no injuries were reported. 

Neighbors indicated the house had been vacant for approximately two to three weeks. The cause of the fire remains under investigation. The structure sustained heavy damage, estimated at more than 50 percent loss.

The Arkansas City Fire/EMS Department is working closely with the Arkansas City Police Department as the investigation continues.

COWLEY COUNTY—Police and fire officials are investigating the cause of house fire in Arkansas City.<div><iframe src="https://www.facebook.com/plugins/video.php?height=476&href=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.facebook.com%2Freel%2F1140358971532443%2F&show_text=false&width=267&t=0" width="267" height="476" style="border:none;overflow:hidden" scrolling="no" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="true" allow="autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowFullScreen="true"></iframe></div>Just after 10:30 a.m. Thursday, the Arkansas City Fire/EMS Department responded to a fire in a home in the 300 block of North 8th Street, according to a media release.Upon arrival, crews found a working fire in the northwest corner of the home, with flames extending into the attic. Firefighters made a quick entry and had water on the fire within about one minute.According to Fire Marshal Gary Bowker, the fire was contained within five minutes. Crews remained on scene through much of the afternoon to check for and extinguish hot spots in the attic area. A primary search confirmed that no one was inside the home at the time of the fire, and no injuries were reported. <figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/10/1760652906655.png" alt="Image from the video" />
 <figcaption>Image from the video</figcaption>
 </figure>Neighbors indicated the house had been vacant for approximately two to three weeks. The cause of the fire remains under investigation. The structure sustained heavy damage, estimated at more than 50 percent loss.The Arkansas City Fire/EMS Department is working closely with the Arkansas City Police Department as the investigation continues.

🎥Police investigating fire at Kansas home

KANSAS CITY—Police investigating a fatality accident that occurred just before 7:30a.m. Tuesday in Kansas City, Missouri have released the name of the girl who died as 9-year-old Hazen Workman-Duffy, according to KCPD Officer&nbsp;Alayna Gonzalez.&nbsp; <a href="https://www.gofundme.com/f/in-loving-memory-of-hazen-workmanduffy">Click here to visit </a>the online fundraiser for the family.

KCPD investigators determined a white Ford Transit van was northbound on Food Lane Drive and was turning westbound onto Longview Road at the intersection, according KCPD Sergeant Jake Becchina. At the same time, the girl was riding her bicycle within the marked crosswalk and had a green signal.&nbsp;&nbsp;

 The van struck the bicycle causing her to fall to the roadway.. EMS transported the girl to a local hospital, where she was later pronounced deceased by medical staff.&nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/10/1760488799105.png" alt="Intersection where the fatal crash occurred -Google image" />
 <figcaption>Intersection where the fatal crash occurred -Google image</figcaption>
 </figure>KANSAS CITY—Police investigating a fatality accident that occurred just before 7:30a.m. Tuesday in Kansas City, Missouri have released the name of the girl who died as 9-year-old Hazen Workman-Duffy, according to KCPD Officer&nbsp;Alayna Gonzalez.&nbsp; <a href="https://www.gofundme.com/f/in-loving-memory-of-hazen-workmanduffy">Click here to visit </a>the online fundraiser for the family.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/10/1760708857997.png" alt="Hazen Workman-Duffy-photo GoFundMe" />
 <figcaption>Hazen Workman-Duffy-photo GoFundMe</figcaption>
 </figure>KCPD investigators determined a white Ford Transit van was northbound on Food Lane Drive and was turning westbound onto Longview Road at the intersection, according KCPD Sergeant Jake Becchina. At the same time, the girl was riding her bicycle within the marked crosswalk and had a green signal.&nbsp;&nbsp; The van struck the bicycle causing her to fall to the roadway.. EMS transported the girl to a local hospital, where she was later pronounced deceased by medical staff.&nbsp;

Police ID girl killed after van struck her bicycle in KC crosswalk

By JOEY CAPPELLETTI and LINLEY SANDERS&nbsp;

WASHINGTON (AP) — As&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/government-shutdown">the government shutdown</a>&nbsp;drags on with no end in sight, a new AP-NORC poll finds that most Americans see it as a significant problem — and all of the major players are being blamed.

Roughly 6 in 10 Americans say President Donald Trump and Republicans in Congress have “a great deal” or “quite a bit” of responsibility for the shutdown, while 54% say the same about Democrats in Congress, according to the poll from&nbsp;<a href="https://apnorc.org/" target="_blank">The Associated Press-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research</a>. At least three-quarters of Americans believe each deserves at least a “moderate” share of blame, underscoring that no one is successfully evading responsibility.

The survey, conducted as&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/government-shutdown-trump-democrats-congress-02382f77ea1ba72896148555a75dc075">the shutdown</a>&nbsp;stretched into its third week, comes as&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/government-shutdown-trump-obamacare-republicans-democrats-b6b59cae2ec28b39e57fbb703704f46a">leaders warn</a>&nbsp;it could soon become the longest in history. Democrats are&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/health-care-subsidies-congress-shutdown-democrats-republicans-bb3464820a347fd2c0399e78e335881e">demanding an extension</a>&nbsp;of tax credits that have helped millions of people afford health insurance since the coronavirus pandemic, while Republicans have refused to negotiate until Congress passes a funding bill to reopen the government.

The standoff has become a messaging battle, with each party betting the public will blame the other. The stakes are especially high for Democrats, now out of power and searching for a unifying fight to rally around ahead of pivotal 2026 midterm elections.

Slightly more of the public’s frustration appears to be aimed at&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/republicans-house-elections-e3754a684a7b96b129841d4b207c15e9">the party in power</a>. The poll finds that about half of Americans say Trump has “a great deal” of responsibility for the shutdown, the very highest amount of responsibility offered in the poll. That’s roughly the same share who fault Republicans in Congress, but higher than the 40% who say the same of Democrats.

Government shutdownThe AP has journalists around the country covering the shutdown of the federal government.&nbsp;<a href="https://modules.wearehearken.com/associated-press/embed/12545/share" target="_blank">What questions do you have for them?</a>

Sophia Cole, a 38-year-old Republican mother from St. Louis, placed equal blame for the shutdown on Trump and Congress. Cole, who described herself as a Trump supporter, said both sides “should be able to come together” on a compromise but believes it is ultimately the Republican president’s responsibility to broker a deal.

“We’re dependent on him to get the House and everyone to vote the way that he needs them to vote,” Cole said.

Democrats and independents more likely to call the shutdown a ‘major issue’

The effects of the shutdown are beginning to be felt across the country. Flights have&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/us-government-shutdown-travel-aviation-flight-delays-211022120bf96ab95dc6861ca5a7e32d">been delayed</a>, and hundreds of thousands of federal employees who are&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/congress-federal-workers-shutdown-layoffs-5bef57b6c431830a9af84fbfcc59b324">furloughed or working without pay</a>&nbsp;are starting to miss paychecks.

The poll finds that 54% of U.S. adults call the shutdown a “major issue,” with just 11% saying it is “not a problem at all.” Democrats are most likely, at 69%, to see it as a major problem, but 59% of independents and 37% of Republicans feel the same way.

House Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., said this week the country is “barreling toward&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/government-shutdown-trump-obamacare-republicans-democrats-b6b59cae2ec28b39e57fbb703704f46a">one of the longest shutdowns</a>&nbsp;in American history.” The last shutdown, during Trump’s first term, went to for&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/government-shutdowns-history-schumer-trump-f442ba1392fab3e7cab37756302e829c">a record 35 days</a>&nbsp;and drew similar public sentiment, with Democrats more likely than Republicans to see it as a major problem.

The White House has warned the impact of the shutdown&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-government-shutdown-russ-vought-project-2025-bf3ecd1f7cd765c9e125d7d7179c8b39">could be worse</a>&nbsp;this time. While roughly 2 million service members were&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-military-pay-troops-government-shutdown-8601ea092fe746cc35b88076e70c4598">paid on time</a>&nbsp;this week, the administration has&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-government-shutdown-firings-layoffs-vought-1fd57313272ec4db5984f653b095be33">used the federal workforce as leverage</a>, and last weekend it began following through on threats to&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/government-shutdown-federal-worker-firings-0439e8d0979d9a32e021c5c851fea1cf">lay off federal workers</a>. But on Wednesday, a federal judge in California&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/government-shutdown-layoffs-trump-unions-b312b3ca77cbdbc72e778ece3b2cbffc">temporarily blocked the firings</a>, saying they appeared to be politically motivated and were being carried out without much thought.

“Things are just going to keep getting worse for federal workers,” said Angie Santiago, a 60-year-old Democrat from Miami. “If people like me are struggling, I can’t imagine what federal workers are going through.”

Santiago, who is on disability while her husband works, said she fears the shutdown will worsen&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/congress-federal-workers-shutdown-layoffs-5bef57b6c431830a9af84fbfcc59b324">economic hardship</a>&nbsp;across the country. Santiago said during a phone interview that she began regularly going to food banks about a year ago.

“I’m calling you from a food line,” she said. “You’re going to see more of these lines popping up. It’s going to get bad.”

More favor than oppose extending health care subsidies

At the center of the shutdown is&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/shutdown-health-care-subsidies-obamacare-congress-10b2ae9648bc5252fc2bd485ddc83493">a stalemate over federal tax credits</a>&nbsp;for people who buy health insurance through the Affordable Care Act marketplace. Democrats want the credits extended, while Republicans say they will discuss the issue only once the government reopens.

The poll shows that roughly 4 in 10 U.S. adults support extending the tax credits, while about 1 in 10 oppose it outright. A large share, 42%, have no opinion, suggesting many Americans are not closely following the core dispute driving the shutdown.

Jason Beck, a Republican who is a self-employed insurance agent in Utah, uses the Affordable Care Act marketplace for his own insurance and supports extending the tax credits.

“I know a lot of the shutdown is over health insurance, and I’d rather just keep it the same way it is now,” Beck said of the subsidies.

Democrats say that keeping health insurance prices the same is central to their fight and that prices will skyrocket if Congress doesn’t do anything. But even Beck, who is on the Democrats’ side with the subsidies, still places equal blame for the shutdown on Democrats, Republicans and Trump.

“Trump’s blaming the Democrats, and the Democrats are blaming the Republicans,” Beck said. “We’re stuck because there’s no middle ground anymore.”

Neither party sees a substantial bump in favorability

Both parties have framed the shutdown as a prelude to the 2026 midterms, with Democrats aiming to flip the House. So far, however, it doesn’t appear to have meaningfully shifted opinions about either party.

About 3 in 10 U.S. adults have a “somewhat” or “very” favorable view of the Democratic Party, in line with an AP-NORC poll from September. Four in 10 have a “somewhat” or “very” favorable view of the Republican Party, similar to last month.

Confidence in Congress, meanwhile, remains extremely low. Only about 4% of Americans say they have “a great deal” of confidence in the way Congress is being run, while 43% have “only some” confidence and about half have “hardly any” confidence.

But the poll suggests that health care could be a helpful issue for Democrats down the road. The poll found that 38% of Americans trust Democrats to do a better job handling health care, while only 25% trust Republicans more. About 1 in 10 trust both equally, and 25% trust neither.

Rob Redding, a 49-year-old independent voter from New York, supports extending ACA subsidies and credits Democrats for defending them.

Redding said Democrats holding the line on the ACA subsidies is probably one of the most valiant and gutsy things he’s ever seen them do.

“And,” Redding said, “I think that it’s the right call.”

By JOEY CAPPELLETTI and LINLEY SANDERS&nbsp;WASHINGTON (AP) — As&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/government-shutdown">the government shutdown</a>&nbsp;drags on with no end in sight, a new AP-NORC poll finds that most Americans see it as a significant problem — and all of the major players are being blamed.Roughly 6 in 10 Americans say President Donald Trump and Republicans in Congress have “a great deal” or “quite a bit” of responsibility for the shutdown, while 54% say the same about Democrats in Congress, according to the poll from&nbsp;<a href="https://apnorc.org/" target="_blank">The Associated Press-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research</a>. At least three-quarters of Americans believe each deserves at least a “moderate” share of blame, underscoring that no one is successfully evading responsibility.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/10/1760703992562.png" alt="Results based on interviews with 1,289 U.S. adults conducted Oct. 9-13, 2025. The margin of error is ±3.8 percentage points for the full sample. Source: The Associated Press-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research" />
 <figcaption>Results based on interviews with 1,289 U.S. adults conducted Oct. 9-13, 2025. The margin of error is ±3.8 percentage points for the full sample. Source: The Associated Press-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research</figcaption>
 </figure>The survey, conducted as&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/government-shutdown-trump-democrats-congress-02382f77ea1ba72896148555a75dc075">the shutdown</a>&nbsp;stretched into its third week, comes as&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/government-shutdown-trump-obamacare-republicans-democrats-b6b59cae2ec28b39e57fbb703704f46a">leaders warn</a>&nbsp;it could soon become the longest in history. Democrats are&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/health-care-subsidies-congress-shutdown-democrats-republicans-bb3464820a347fd2c0399e78e335881e">demanding an extension</a>&nbsp;of tax credits that have helped millions of people afford health insurance since the coronavirus pandemic, while Republicans have refused to negotiate until Congress passes a funding bill to reopen the government.The standoff has become a messaging battle, with each party betting the public will blame the other. The stakes are especially high for Democrats, now out of power and searching for a unifying fight to rally around ahead of pivotal 2026 midterm elections.Slightly more of the public’s frustration appears to be aimed at&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/republicans-house-elections-e3754a684a7b96b129841d4b207c15e9">the party in power</a>. The poll finds that about half of Americans say Trump has “a great deal” of responsibility for the shutdown, the very highest amount of responsibility offered in the poll. That’s roughly the same share who fault Republicans in Congress, but higher than the 40% who say the same of Democrats.Government shutdownThe AP has journalists around the country covering the shutdown of the federal government.&nbsp;<a href="https://modules.wearehearken.com/associated-press/embed/12545/share" target="_blank">What questions do you have for them?</a>Sophia Cole, a 38-year-old Republican mother from St. Louis, placed equal blame for the shutdown on Trump and Congress. Cole, who described herself as a Trump supporter, said both sides “should be able to come together” on a compromise but believes it is ultimately the Republican president’s responsibility to broker a deal.“We’re dependent on him to get the House and everyone to vote the way that he needs them to vote,” Cole said.<h2>Democrats and independents more likely to call the shutdown a ‘major issue’</h2>The effects of the shutdown are beginning to be felt across the country. Flights have&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/us-government-shutdown-travel-aviation-flight-delays-211022120bf96ab95dc6861ca5a7e32d">been delayed</a>, and hundreds of thousands of federal employees who are&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/congress-federal-workers-shutdown-layoffs-5bef57b6c431830a9af84fbfcc59b324">furloughed or working without pay</a>&nbsp;are starting to miss paychecks.The poll finds that 54% of U.S. adults call the shutdown a “major issue,” with just 11% saying it is “not a problem at all.” Democrats are most likely, at 69%, to see it as a major problem, but 59% of independents and 37% of Republicans feel the same way.House Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., said this week the country is “barreling toward&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/government-shutdown-trump-obamacare-republicans-democrats-b6b59cae2ec28b39e57fbb703704f46a">one of the longest shutdowns</a>&nbsp;in American history.” The last shutdown, during Trump’s first term, went to for&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/government-shutdowns-history-schumer-trump-f442ba1392fab3e7cab37756302e829c">a record 35 days</a>&nbsp;and drew similar public sentiment, with Democrats more likely than Republicans to see it as a major problem.The White House has warned the impact of the shutdown&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-government-shutdown-russ-vought-project-2025-bf3ecd1f7cd765c9e125d7d7179c8b39">could be worse</a>&nbsp;this time. While roughly 2 million service members were&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-military-pay-troops-government-shutdown-8601ea092fe746cc35b88076e70c4598">paid on time</a>&nbsp;this week, the administration has&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-government-shutdown-firings-layoffs-vought-1fd57313272ec4db5984f653b095be33">used the federal workforce as leverage</a>, and last weekend it began following through on threats to&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/government-shutdown-federal-worker-firings-0439e8d0979d9a32e021c5c851fea1cf">lay off federal workers</a>. But on Wednesday, a federal judge in California&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/government-shutdown-layoffs-trump-unions-b312b3ca77cbdbc72e778ece3b2cbffc">temporarily blocked the firings</a>, saying they appeared to be politically motivated and were being carried out without much thought.“Things are just going to keep getting worse for federal workers,” said Angie Santiago, a 60-year-old Democrat from Miami. “If people like me are struggling, I can’t imagine what federal workers are going through.”Santiago, who is on disability while her husband works, said she fears the shutdown will worsen&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/congress-federal-workers-shutdown-layoffs-5bef57b6c431830a9af84fbfcc59b324">economic hardship</a>&nbsp;across the country. Santiago said during a phone interview that she began regularly going to food banks about a year ago.“I’m calling you from a food line,” she said. “You’re going to see more of these lines popping up. It’s going to get bad.”<h2>More favor than oppose extending health care subsidies</h2>At the center of the shutdown is&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/shutdown-health-care-subsidies-obamacare-congress-10b2ae9648bc5252fc2bd485ddc83493">a stalemate over federal tax credits</a>&nbsp;for people who buy health insurance through the Affordable Care Act marketplace. Democrats want the credits extended, while Republicans say they will discuss the issue only once the government reopens.The poll shows that roughly 4 in 10 U.S. adults support extending the tax credits, while about 1 in 10 oppose it outright. A large share, 42%, have no opinion, suggesting many Americans are not closely following the core dispute driving the shutdown.Jason Beck, a Republican who is a self-employed insurance agent in Utah, uses the Affordable Care Act marketplace for his own insurance and supports extending the tax credits.“I know a lot of the shutdown is over health insurance, and I’d rather just keep it the same way it is now,” Beck said of the subsidies.Democrats say that keeping health insurance prices the same is central to their fight and that prices will skyrocket if Congress doesn’t do anything. But even Beck, who is on the Democrats’ side with the subsidies, still places equal blame for the shutdown on Democrats, Republicans and Trump.“Trump’s blaming the Democrats, and the Democrats are blaming the Republicans,” Beck said. “We’re stuck because there’s no middle ground anymore.”<h2>Neither party sees a substantial bump in favorability</h2>Both parties have framed the shutdown as a prelude to the 2026 midterms, with Democrats aiming to flip the House. So far, however, it doesn’t appear to have meaningfully shifted opinions about either party.About 3 in 10 U.S. adults have a “somewhat” or “very” favorable view of the Democratic Party, in line with an AP-NORC poll from September. Four in 10 have a “somewhat” or “very” favorable view of the Republican Party, similar to last month.Confidence in Congress, meanwhile, remains extremely low. Only about 4% of Americans say they have “a great deal” of confidence in the way Congress is being run, while 43% have “only some” confidence and about half have “hardly any” confidence.But the poll suggests that health care could be a helpful issue for Democrats down the road. The poll found that 38% of Americans trust Democrats to do a better job handling health care, while only 25% trust Republicans more. About 1 in 10 trust both equally, and 25% trust neither.Rob Redding, a 49-year-old independent voter from New York, supports extending ACA subsidies and credits Democrats for defending them.Redding said Democrats holding the line on the ACA subsidies is probably one of the most valiant and gutsy things he’s ever seen them do.“And,” Redding said, “I think that it’s the right call.”___

What a new poll shows about Americans’ views on the shutdown

SEDGWICK COUNTY– A suspect is in custody following a fatal shooting on a City of Wichita bus Thursday afternoon.

Just after 3:30 p.m., police responded to a report of a shooting at South Meridian and West Burton. When officers arrived, they found a 54-year-old man suffering from a gunshot wound to the upper body. Sedgwick County EMS pronounced him deceased on scene.

Investigators determined that both the suspect, identified from booking records as 34-year-old Travis L. Finney and the victim were passengers on the bus and knew each other.

There is no ongoing threat to the public.&nbsp; Police did not release the victim's name late Thursday. Finney is being held on requested charges that include murder in the first degree, criminal possession of a weapon by a felon, robbery, probation violation, domestic battery and aggravated domestic battery.

This case remains under active investigation. Anyone with information is asked to contact detectives at 316-268-4407. Anonymous tips can also be submitted to Crime Stoppers at 316-267-2111.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/10/1760655721036.png" alt="Photo courtesy KWCH" />
 <figcaption>Photo courtesy KWCH</figcaption>
 </figure>SEDGWICK COUNTY– A suspect is in custody following a fatal shooting on a City of Wichita bus Thursday afternoon.Just after 3:30 p.m., police responded to a report of a shooting at South Meridian and West Burton. When officers arrived, they found a 54-year-old man suffering from a gunshot wound to the upper body. Sedgwick County EMS pronounced him deceased on scene.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/10/1760696407932.png" alt="Finney photo Sedgwick County" />
 <figcaption>Finney photo Sedgwick County</figcaption>
 </figure>Investigators determined that both the suspect, identified from booking records as 34-year-old Travis L. Finney and the victim were passengers on the bus and knew each other.There is no ongoing threat to the public.&nbsp; Police did not release the victim's name late Thursday. Finney is being held on requested charges that include murder in the first degree, criminal possession of a weapon by a felon, robbery, probation violation, domestic battery and aggravated domestic battery.This case remains under active investigation. Anyone with information is asked to contact detectives at 316-268-4407. Anonymous tips can also be submitted to Crime Stoppers at 316-267-2111.

Kan. man shot and killed riding city bus, suspect in custody

SEDGWICK COUNTY—A Kansas woman who admitted her role in the death of a 7-year-old boy learned her fate Thursday afternoon.

Judge Sean Hatfield sentenced&nbsp;Tasha Diane Dillard, 25, Wichita to 37-months in prison, according to the Sedgwick County District attorney's office. The judge granted a defense motion for a downward sentence departure. She was sentenced below the minimum recommended sentence guideline, according to the district attorney's office.

In early September she pleaded guilty to involuntary manslaughter and aggravated child endangerment, according to the Sedgwick County District Attorney's office.&nbsp; She had been scheduled to face a trial starting on September 15.

Dillard had originally been charged with 1st degree murder and 7 counts of aggravated endangering a child, according to the District Attorney's office.

On March 16, police responded to a call of a shooting at an apartment in the 3700 block of E Ross Parkway, according to Wichita Police Captain Aaron Moses. The caller reported that someone had been shot and that a child was bleeding.

When officers arrived, they found 7-year-old Davion Gunter suffering from a gunshot wound to his torso. Davion was transported to a local hospital, where he was&nbsp; pronounced deceased.

At the scene, officers found seven other children and multiple adults. Wichita Police homicide investigators and the Exploited and Missing Children’s Unit responded immediately, conducting interviews and gathered evidence.

As a result, police took Dillard into custody, and the children were placed in protective care.&nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/3/1742206494454.png" alt="DILLARD photo Sedgwick County" />
 <figcaption>DILLARD photo Sedgwick County</figcaption>
 </figure>SEDGWICK COUNTY—A Kansas woman who admitted her role in the death of a 7-year-old boy learned her fate Thursday afternoon.Judge Sean Hatfield sentenced&nbsp;Tasha Diane Dillard, 25, Wichita to 37-months in prison, according to the Sedgwick County District attorney's office. The judge granted a defense motion for a downward sentence departure. She was sentenced below the minimum recommended sentence guideline, according to the district attorney's office.In early September she pleaded guilty to involuntary manslaughter and aggravated child endangerment, according to the Sedgwick County District Attorney's office.&nbsp; She had been scheduled to face a trial starting on September 15.Dillard had originally been charged with 1st degree murder and 7 counts of aggravated endangering a child, according to the District Attorney's office.On March 16, police responded to a call of a shooting at an apartment in the 3700 block of E Ross Parkway, according to Wichita Police Captain Aaron Moses. The caller reported that someone had been shot and that a child was bleeding.When officers arrived, they found 7-year-old Davion Gunter suffering from a gunshot wound to his torso. Davion was transported to a local hospital, where he was&nbsp; pronounced deceased.At the scene, officers found seven other children and multiple adults. Wichita Police homicide investigators and the Exploited and Missing Children’s Unit responded immediately, conducting interviews and gathered evidence.As a result, police took Dillard into custody, and the children were placed in protective care.&nbsp;

Astonishing sentence for Kansas woman in death of 7-year-old boy

WASHINGTON (AP) — Drugmaker EMD Serono will reduce the cost of a common fertility medication through a deal struck with the Trump administration,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/donald-trump">President Donald Trump</a>&nbsp;said Thursday while also unveiling new federal guidance he said will encourage employers to offer fertility coverage.

The new guidance will allow companies to offer fertility benefits separate from major medical insurance plans, like they do with dental and vision plans, Trump said.

“We want to make it easier for all couples to have babies, raise children and start the families they have always dreamed about,” Trump said.

The Oval Office announcement offers a first glimpse at how Trump plans to follow up on his&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/ivf-vitro-fertilization-trump-executive-order-65972cc1b10151bf1a0d9390fe5754d9">executive order</a>&nbsp;earlier this year aiming to reduce the cost of in vitro fertilization, a medical procedure that helps people facing infertility build their families. But it falls far short of his promise as a candidate to make IVF treatment free. It marks the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-astrazeneca-drug-prices-medicaid-tariffs-2da852b2edf18c72977fb922aa054e42">third deal</a>&nbsp;the administration has made with pharmaceutical companies to cut drug prices in recent weeks.

EMD Serono’s Gonal-f is among several drugs frequently used by patients going through IVF treatments — which involve using hormones to trigger ovulation, producing multiple eggs that are retrieved from the ovaries to be fertilized or frozen. The drugs can be expensive, often costing patients thousands of dollars for a single IVF cycle. Many patients trying to get pregnant through IVF go through more than one cycle.

The White House and EMD Serono said the drug, along with all its other IVF medications, will be available at a discount on TrumpRx, a government website where patients will be able to buy drugs directly from manufacturers. The Trump administration contends that the new website, which is expected to be running in 2026, will cut pharmaceutical costs by allowing people to buy them without a middleman.

Trump said the Food and Drug Administration will also be working with EMD Serono to expedite approval of another one of its fertility drugs available in Europe, called Pergoveris.

Dr. Mehmet Oz, who heads the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, said that as a result of the changes: “There are going to be a lot of Trump babies. I think that’s probably a good thing.”

Thursday’s announcement comes after Trump issued a February executive order pledging to make IVF more affordable. During his campaign last year, Trump pledged that if he was elected, he would make IVF treatment free.

“Under the Trump administration, your government will pay for — or your insurance company will be mandated to pay for — all costs associated with IVF treatment,” he said at an event in Michigan. “Because we want more babies, to put it nicely.”

That pledge came in the wake of growing pressure after his Supreme Court nominees helped overturn the right to abortion in Roe v. Wade that kicked off an effort in GOP-led states to impose new restrictions, including some that have threatened access to IVF by trying to define life as beginning at conception.

Asked on Thursday about conservatives who have&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/ivf-embryos-christian-evangelicals-alabama-dce11430993cf7e1047987fa3fb06ace">religious objections to IVF</a>&nbsp;and are critical of his support for it, Trump said he wasn’t aware of those views.

“I don’t know about the views of that,” Trump said. “I’m just looking to do something because, you know, pro-life, I think this is very pro-life.”

“You can’t get more pro-life than this,” he added.

Roger Shedlin, CEO of the fertility and family building benefits company WIN, on Wednesday expressed excitement about what he called “steps in the right direction.”

“Any initiative that addresses the cost of drugs will have a material positive impact on the overall cost of the fertility cycle,” he said.

Corinn O’Brien, 39, of Birmingham, Alabama, said anything to lower the costs of IVF would be “huge for families.”

O’Brien said she underwent three rounds of IVF and gave birth to a daughter in June. Each time, the drugs would cost anywhere from around $1,000 to $5,000.

She said covering the whole IVF cycle “ultimately would be a game changer for families,” but helping with the cost of drugs “is progress and is much appreciated.”

O’Brien added it would be great if more employers would cover fertility services because, for many, “this is their only chance to expand their family.”

Swenson reported from New York. Ungar reported from Louisville, Kentucky.

WASHINGTON (AP) — Drugmaker EMD Serono will reduce the cost of a common fertility medication through a deal struck with the Trump administration,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/donald-trump">President Donald Trump</a>&nbsp;said Thursday while also unveiling new federal guidance he said will encourage employers to offer fertility coverage.<div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">.<a href="https://twitter.com/SenKatieBritt?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@SenKatieBritt</a>: &quot;President Trump very clearly said where he was on this, and he said &#39;I&#39;m going to make sure that [IVF] is more accessible and more affordable for families coast to coast&#39; ... President Trump wants to actually make things happen, that’s exactly what he did here.&quot; <a href="https://t.co/8WA3zdR3EN">pic.twitter.com/8WA3zdR3EN</a>&mdash; Rapid Response 47 (@RapidResponse47) <a href="https://twitter.com/RapidResponse47/status/1978925718516949428?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 16, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div><div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">President Trump on expanding IVF Access: &quot;Today I&#39;m pleased to announce that after extensive negotiations, EMD Serono the largest fertility drug manufacturer in the world, has agreed to provide massive discounts to all fertility drugs they sell in the United States.&quot; <a href="https://t.co/8QHzjOtxN8">pic.twitter.com/8QHzjOtxN8</a>&mdash; CSPAN (@cspan) <a href="https://twitter.com/cspan/status/1978914304381387193?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 16, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>The new guidance will allow companies to offer fertility benefits separate from major medical insurance plans, like they do with dental and vision plans, Trump said.“We want to make it easier for all couples to have babies, raise children and start the families they have always dreamed about,” Trump said.The Oval Office announcement offers a first glimpse at how Trump plans to follow up on his&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/ivf-vitro-fertilization-trump-executive-order-65972cc1b10151bf1a0d9390fe5754d9">executive order</a>&nbsp;earlier this year aiming to reduce the cost of in vitro fertilization, a medical procedure that helps people facing infertility build their families. But it falls far short of his promise as a candidate to make IVF treatment free. It marks the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-astrazeneca-drug-prices-medicaid-tariffs-2da852b2edf18c72977fb922aa054e42">third deal</a>&nbsp;the administration has made with pharmaceutical companies to cut drug prices in recent weeks.EMD Serono’s Gonal-f is among several drugs frequently used by patients going through IVF treatments — which involve using hormones to trigger ovulation, producing multiple eggs that are retrieved from the ovaries to be fertilized or frozen. The drugs can be expensive, often costing patients thousands of dollars for a single IVF cycle. Many patients trying to get pregnant through IVF go through more than one cycle.The White House and EMD Serono said the drug, along with all its other IVF medications, will be available at a discount on TrumpRx, a government website where patients will be able to buy drugs directly from manufacturers. The Trump administration contends that the new website, which is expected to be running in 2026, will cut pharmaceutical costs by allowing people to buy them without a middleman.Trump said the Food and Drug Administration will also be working with EMD Serono to expedite approval of another one of its fertility drugs available in Europe, called Pergoveris.Dr. Mehmet Oz, who heads the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, said that as a result of the changes: “There are going to be a lot of Trump babies. I think that’s probably a good thing.”Thursday’s announcement comes after Trump issued a February executive order pledging to make IVF more affordable. During his campaign last year, Trump pledged that if he was elected, he would make IVF treatment free.“Under the Trump administration, your government will pay for — or your insurance company will be mandated to pay for — all costs associated with IVF treatment,” he said at an event in Michigan. “Because we want more babies, to put it nicely.”That pledge came in the wake of growing pressure after his Supreme Court nominees helped overturn the right to abortion in Roe v. Wade that kicked off an effort in GOP-led states to impose new restrictions, including some that have threatened access to IVF by trying to define life as beginning at conception.Asked on Thursday about conservatives who have&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/ivf-embryos-christian-evangelicals-alabama-dce11430993cf7e1047987fa3fb06ace">religious objections to IVF</a>&nbsp;and are critical of his support for it, Trump said he wasn’t aware of those views.“I don’t know about the views of that,” Trump said. “I’m just looking to do something because, you know, pro-life, I think this is very pro-life.”“You can’t get more pro-life than this,” he added.Roger Shedlin, CEO of the fertility and family building benefits company WIN, on Wednesday expressed excitement about what he called “steps in the right direction.”“Any initiative that addresses the cost of drugs will have a material positive impact on the overall cost of the fertility cycle,” he said.Corinn O’Brien, 39, of Birmingham, Alabama, said anything to lower the costs of IVF would be “huge for families.”O’Brien said she underwent three rounds of IVF and gave birth to a daughter in June. Each time, the drugs would cost anywhere from around $1,000 to $5,000.She said covering the whole IVF cycle “ultimately would be a game changer for families,” but helping with the cost of drugs “is progress and is much appreciated.”O’Brien added it would be great if more employers would cover fertility services because, for many, “this is their only chance to expand their family.”___Swenson reported from New York. Ungar reported from Louisville, Kentucky.

🎥Trump deal will  lower the cost of a common IVF drug

KANSAS CITY—One person was injured in a fire Thursday in Kansas City.

Just after 1p.m., crews&nbsp;responded to a reported apartment fire in the 9300 block of Bales Drive, according to Battalion Chief Riley Nolan.

 Crews reported smoke and fire showing from the exterior of a three-story occupied apartment building. Companies initiated an offensive fire attack on arrival using one handline. Searches of the structure were conducted and came back "all clear".&nbsp; The fire was brought under control just after 1:28 p.m. EMS transported&nbsp; one resident for evaluation and treatment of smoke&nbsp;inhalation.&nbsp;The cause of the fire is under investigation by KCFD.&nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/10/1760644847003.png" alt="Photo sKCFD" />
 <figcaption>Photo sKCFD</figcaption>
 </figure>KANSAS CITY—One person was injured in a fire Thursday in Kansas City.Just after 1p.m., crews&nbsp;responded to a reported apartment fire in the 9300 block of Bales Drive, according to Battalion Chief Riley Nolan.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/10/1760644817487.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure> Crews reported smoke and fire showing from the exterior of a three-story occupied apartment building. Companies initiated an offensive fire attack on arrival using one handline. Searches of the structure were conducted and came back "all clear".&nbsp; The fire was brought under control just after 1:28 p.m. EMS transported&nbsp; one resident for evaluation and treatment of smoke&nbsp;inhalation.&nbsp;The cause of the fire is under investigation by KCFD.&nbsp;

One hospitalized after fire in 3-story KC apartment building

NEW YORK (AP) — Former Gov.&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/andrew-cuomo">Andrew Cuomo</a>&nbsp;entered Thursday evening’s first New York mayoral debate trying to blunt Democratic front-runner Zohran Mamdani's momentum. Instead he spent much of the contentious face-off on defense, batting away criticisms over his long tenure in office from Mamdani and Republican Curtis Sliwa.

<a href="https://www.c-span.org/program/campaign-2026/new-york-city-mayoral-debate/667249">Click here to watch a replay </a>of the debate

Cuomo, now running as an independent, continued to try to cast Mamdani's agenda as too extreme, saying he lacks the experience to lead America’s biggest city. Mamdani, a self-described democratic socialist, countered with attacks on the former governor's response to the COVID-19 pandemic and sexual harassment allegations that Cuomo denies.

But after two hours that touched on how the next mayor would deal with President&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/donald-trump">Donald Trump</a>, quality of life issues and affordability, it was unclear whether anyone did enough to move the needle.

For Cuomo the stakes of the face-off were especially high. The debate was one of his last chances to try to convince voters that going with Mamdani, who already defeated the once-powerful governor in the primary this summer, would be a mistake. The race is also Cuomo’s attempt at a&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/cuomo-mayor-new-york-city-mayor-1ed3ebb2c60acd53bb49bb5ee9921890">political comeback</a>&nbsp;after he resigned four years ago following the sexual harassment allegations.

Mamdani, who spent much of the debate smiling as he tried to maintain the hopeful, charming persona that has characterized his campaign, pushed his affordability agenda and sought to portray himself as a pragmatic liberal rather than a radical ideologue.

The race has catapulted him to national political stardom, with Republicans, including Trump, trying to turn him into the face of the Democratic Party by highlighting his most controversial past comments and positions and casting him as dangerous, a communist and an antisemite.

Meanwhile&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/nyc-election-sliwa-mayor-mamdani-cuomo-adams-f04c137968be1e54f0f06400ef4baefb">Sliwa</a>, a Republican and the colorful creator of the Guardian Angels crime patrol group, tried to vault his underdog campaign to the fore amid calls for him to drop out. Though he could have helped Cuomo by ganging up on Mamdani, he instead spent much of his time undercutting the former governor.

Incumbent Mayor&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/eric-adams">Eric Adams</a>, a Democrat, suspended his reelection campaign late last month after being deeply wounded by a now-dismissed federal corruption case and his relationship with the Trump administration.

Here are some key takeaways from tonight's debate:

Mamdani came under attack straight out the gate, as Cuomo highlighted the 33-year-old's relative lack of job experience and painted his agenda as unrealistic and unachievable.

Cuomo, stressing his own lengthy resume, said being mayor “is no job for on-the-job training”

“This is not a job for a first timer,” he said, while trying to to cast Mamdani as “Bill de Blasio light,” a reference to the unpopular former mayor.

Mamdani hit back at Cuomo’s integrity and decision-making during the pandemic and repeatedly raised the sexual harassment investigation and legal bills related to his defense.

“What I don’t have in experience, I make up for in integrity. What you don’t have in integrity, you can never make up for with experience,” he charged.

Cuomo also sought to cast himself as the only true Democrat onstage, despite the fact that he is not running on the Democratic Party line.

Mamdani's brand of economic populism and laser focus on lowering costs in the astronomically expensive city has generated buzz and excitement. At the same time, the state assemblyman's calls to raise taxes on wealthy people and intense criticisms of the Israel's military actions in Gaza have unnerved some centrists and conservatives, as well as many Jewish New Yorkers.

During&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/mamdani-mayor-nyc-cuomo-trump-b58f8d312f8ed67b01bfb7a3a078387c">an appearance on Fox News Channel</a>&nbsp;this week, Mamdani sidestepped a question about whether Hamas should lay down arms as part of a fragile truce that has paused the two-year Israel-Hamas war.

On Thursday he did not equivocate, saying, “Of course I believe that they should lay down their arms.”

The comment came as Cuomo again highlighted Mamdani's past reluctance to condemn the use of the phrase “Globalize the intifada,” which is seen by many Jews as a call to violence.

Since the primary Mamdani has said he does not use the phrase and would discourage people from saying it.

But Sliwa said that wasn't enough. “Jews don’t trust that you are going to be there for them when they are the victims of antisemitic attacks,” he charged.

Mamdani, meanwhile, accused Cuomo of failing to represent the city's Muslim community, claiming that it took losing to a Muslim candidate for Cuomo to step inside a mosque.

“It took me to get you to even see Muslims as part of this city,” Mamdani said.

Mamdani's walk-back comes as he has tried to distance himself from several of his more contentious past statements, such as calling the New York Police Department “racist” and “a major threat to public safety.”

During&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/mamdani-mayor-nyc-cuomo-trump-b58f8d312f8ed67b01bfb7a3a078387c">his Fox appearance</a>, he publicly apologized for his language after doing so behind closed doors.

“I am not running to defund the police. I am running to actually work with the police to deliver public safety,” he said Thursday.

The president, who has&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-zohran-mamdani-new-york-communism-attacks-nyc-mayor-c66707800e55eb4e72b06af5e159a680">threatened to</a>&nbsp;arrest Mamdani, to deport him and even to take over the city if he wins, was invoked early and often.

Pressed on how they would handle Trump, Mamdani — who walked to the debate venue at 30 Rockefeller Plaza from Trump Tower, accompanied by a brass band — said he would stand up to the president while also being willing to work with him on lowering costs and affordability.

“What New Yorkers need is a mayor who can stand up to Donald Trump and actually deliver,” he said.

Cuomo warned that if Mamdani wins, “It will be Mayor Trump.”

“I’d like to work with you. I think we could do good things together. But No. 1, I will fight you every step of the way if you try to hurt New York,” Cuomo pledged.

Sliwa warned that taking too contentious a tone with Trump would end up hurting the city.

“If you try to get tough with Trump,” he said, “New Yorkers will suffer.”

The underdog found himself caught in the middle — literally and figuratively — with the Republican’s lectern positioned between his two opponents as they lobbed attacks at one another.

At one point Sliwa complained that he was not getting enough speaking time, saying, “I am being marginalized out of this.”

But he often attacked Cuomo aggressively, including after the former governor stressed his willingness to take on Trump.

“The president is going to back down to you?” Sliwa said. “You think you’re the toughest guy alive, but let me tell you something, you lost your own primary, rejected by your own Democratic Party."

A second and final debate is scheduled for next week.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/10/1760695518655.png" alt="Image courtesy CSPAN" />
 <figcaption>Image courtesy CSPAN</figcaption>
 </figure>NEW YORK (AP) — Former Gov.&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/andrew-cuomo">Andrew Cuomo</a>&nbsp;entered Thursday evening’s first New York mayoral debate trying to blunt Democratic front-runner Zohran Mamdani's momentum. Instead he spent much of the contentious face-off on defense, batting away criticisms over his long tenure in office from Mamdani and Republican Curtis Sliwa.<a href="https://www.c-span.org/program/campaign-2026/new-york-city-mayoral-debate/667249">Click here to watch a replay </a>of the debateCuomo, now running as an independent, continued to try to cast Mamdani's agenda as too extreme, saying he lacks the experience to lead America’s biggest city. Mamdani, a self-described democratic socialist, countered with attacks on the former governor's response to the COVID-19 pandemic and sexual harassment allegations that Cuomo denies.But after two hours that touched on how the next mayor would deal with President&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/donald-trump">Donald Trump</a>, quality of life issues and affordability, it was unclear whether anyone did enough to move the needle.For Cuomo the stakes of the face-off were especially high. The debate was one of his last chances to try to convince voters that going with Mamdani, who already defeated the once-powerful governor in the primary this summer, would be a mistake. The race is also Cuomo’s attempt at a&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/cuomo-mayor-new-york-city-mayor-1ed3ebb2c60acd53bb49bb5ee9921890">political comeback</a>&nbsp;after he resigned four years ago following the sexual harassment allegations.Mamdani, who spent much of the debate smiling as he tried to maintain the hopeful, charming persona that has characterized his campaign, pushed his affordability agenda and sought to portray himself as a pragmatic liberal rather than a radical ideologue.The race has catapulted him to national political stardom, with Republicans, including Trump, trying to turn him into the face of the Democratic Party by highlighting his most controversial past comments and positions and casting him as dangerous, a communist and an antisemite.Meanwhile&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/nyc-election-sliwa-mayor-mamdani-cuomo-adams-f04c137968be1e54f0f06400ef4baefb">Sliwa</a>, a Republican and the colorful creator of the Guardian Angels crime patrol group, tried to vault his underdog campaign to the fore amid calls for him to drop out. Though he could have helped Cuomo by ganging up on Mamdani, he instead spent much of his time undercutting the former governor.Incumbent Mayor&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/eric-adams">Eric Adams</a>, a Democrat, suspended his reelection campaign late last month after being deeply wounded by a now-dismissed federal corruption case and his relationship with the Trump administration.Here are some key takeaways from tonight's debate:<h2>Mamdani on defense</h2>Mamdani came under attack straight out the gate, as Cuomo highlighted the 33-year-old's relative lack of job experience and painted his agenda as unrealistic and unachievable.Cuomo, stressing his own lengthy resume, said being mayor “is no job for on-the-job training”“This is not a job for a first timer,” he said, while trying to to cast Mamdani as “Bill de Blasio light,” a reference to the unpopular former mayor.Mamdani hit back at Cuomo’s integrity and decision-making during the pandemic and repeatedly raised the sexual harassment investigation and legal bills related to his defense.“What I don’t have in experience, I make up for in integrity. What you don’t have in integrity, you can never make up for with experience,” he charged.Cuomo also sought to cast himself as the only true Democrat onstage, despite the fact that he is not running on the Democratic Party line.Mamdani's brand of economic populism and laser focus on lowering costs in the astronomically expensive city has generated buzz and excitement. At the same time, the state assemblyman's calls to raise taxes on wealthy people and intense criticisms of the Israel's military actions in Gaza have unnerved some centrists and conservatives, as well as many Jewish New Yorkers.<h2>Mamdani pressed on past Israel comments</h2>During&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/mamdani-mayor-nyc-cuomo-trump-b58f8d312f8ed67b01bfb7a3a078387c">an appearance on Fox News Channel</a>&nbsp;this week, Mamdani sidestepped a question about whether Hamas should lay down arms as part of a fragile truce that has paused the two-year Israel-Hamas war.On Thursday he did not equivocate, saying, “Of course I believe that they should lay down their arms.”The comment came as Cuomo again highlighted Mamdani's past reluctance to condemn the use of the phrase “Globalize the intifada,” which is seen by many Jews as a call to violence.Since the primary Mamdani has said he does not use the phrase and would discourage people from saying it.But Sliwa said that wasn't enough. “Jews don’t trust that you are going to be there for them when they are the victims of antisemitic attacks,” he charged.Mamdani, meanwhile, accused Cuomo of failing to represent the city's Muslim community, claiming that it took losing to a Muslim candidate for Cuomo to step inside a mosque.“It took me to get you to even see Muslims as part of this city,” Mamdani said.Mamdani's walk-back comes as he has tried to distance himself from several of his more contentious past statements, such as calling the New York Police Department “racist” and “a major threat to public safety.”During&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/mamdani-mayor-nyc-cuomo-trump-b58f8d312f8ed67b01bfb7a3a078387c">his Fox appearance</a>, he publicly apologized for his language after doing so behind closed doors.“I am not running to defund the police. I am running to actually work with the police to deliver public safety,” he said Thursday.<h2>Trump front and center</h2>The president, who has&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-zohran-mamdani-new-york-communism-attacks-nyc-mayor-c66707800e55eb4e72b06af5e159a680">threatened to</a>&nbsp;arrest Mamdani, to deport him and even to take over the city if he wins, was invoked early and often.Pressed on how they would handle Trump, Mamdani — who walked to the debate venue at 30 Rockefeller Plaza from Trump Tower, accompanied by a brass band — said he would stand up to the president while also being willing to work with him on lowering costs and affordability.“What New Yorkers need is a mayor who can stand up to Donald Trump and actually deliver,” he said.Cuomo warned that if Mamdani wins, “It will be Mayor Trump.”“I’d like to work with you. I think we could do good things together. But No. 1, I will fight you every step of the way if you try to hurt New York,” Cuomo pledged.Sliwa warned that taking too contentious a tone with Trump would end up hurting the city.“If you try to get tough with Trump,” he said, “New Yorkers will suffer.”<h2>Sliwa tries to stand out</h2>The underdog found himself caught in the middle — literally and figuratively — with the Republican’s lectern positioned between his two opponents as they lobbed attacks at one another.At one point Sliwa complained that he was not getting enough speaking time, saying, “I am being marginalized out of this.”But he often attacked Cuomo aggressively, including after the former governor stressed his willingness to take on Trump.“The president is going to back down to you?” Sliwa said. “You think you’re the toughest guy alive, but let me tell you something, you lost your own primary, rejected by your own Democratic Party."A second and final debate is scheduled for next week.

🎥 Many swings, few knockout hits in heated NYC mayoral debate

SEDGWICK COUNTY— A Kansas woman who called 911 to report shooting her son in October of 2024 learned her fate on Friday.

On Friday, Judge Eric Williams sentenced&nbsp;Tesha Florence, 46, Wichita  to 194 months in prison with 36 months of post release supervision, according to the Sedgwick County District Attorney's office.&nbsp; She is also required to register as a violent offender.&nbsp;

SEDGWICK COUNTY— A Kansas woman who called 911 to report shooting her son in October of 2024 is expected to learn her fate on Friday.

Tesha Florence, 46, Wichita will attend a sentencing hearing&nbsp;in Judge Eric Williams courtroom, according to the Sedgwick County District Attorney's office.

In August, Florence pleaded no contest to charges of second degree murder,&nbsp; aggravated assault and aggravated burglary, according to the District Attorney's office.

On October 9, 2024, Sedgwick County Emergency Communications received a 911 call from Florence reporting that she shot her son, according to Wichita Police Captain Aaron Moses.

First responders located a 16-year-old identified as Robert Florence inside an apartment in the 9100 Block of East Harry. He had a single gunshot wound. EMS transported him to an area hospital where he was in extremely critical condition. He died two days later, according to Moses.

At the scene, officers detained&nbsp;<a href="https://ssc.sedgwickcounty.org/InmateSearch/Details.aspx?Id=168822">&nbsp;Florence,</a>&nbsp;the boy's mother.&nbsp;&nbsp;

During the investigation into this case, detectives learned of a previously unreported incident from March 2024 where Florence threatened an ex-husband and his current girlfriend with a gun.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/10/1728510375843.png" alt="Police on the scene of the investigation -photo courtesy KWCH" />
 <figcaption>Police on the scene of the investigation -photo courtesy KWCH</figcaption>
 </figure>SEDGWICK COUNTY— A Kansas woman who called 911 to report shooting her son in October of 2024 learned her fate on Friday.On Friday, Judge Eric Williams sentenced&nbsp;Tesha Florence, 46, Wichita to 194 months in prison with 36 months of post release supervision, according to the Sedgwick County District Attorney's office.&nbsp; She is also required to register as a violent offender.&nbsp;---------------SEDGWICK COUNTY— A Kansas woman who called 911 to report shooting her son in October of 2024 is expected to learn her fate on Friday.Tesha Florence, 46, Wichita will attend a sentencing hearing&nbsp;in Judge Eric Williams courtroom, according to the Sedgwick County District Attorney's office.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/10/1728555306481.png" alt="Florence photo Sedgwick County" />
 <figcaption>Florence photo Sedgwick County</figcaption>
 </figure>In August, Florence pleaded no contest to charges of second degree murder,&nbsp; aggravated assault and aggravated burglary, according to the District Attorney's office.On October 9, 2024, Sedgwick County Emergency Communications received a 911 call from Florence reporting that she shot her son, according to Wichita Police Captain Aaron Moses.First responders located a 16-year-old identified as Robert Florence inside an apartment in the 9100 Block of East Harry. He had a single gunshot wound. EMS transported him to an area hospital where he was in extremely critical condition. He died two days later, according to Moses.At the scene, officers detained&nbsp;<a href="https://ssc.sedgwickcounty.org/InmateSearch/Details.aspx?Id=168822">&nbsp;Florence,</a>&nbsp;the boy's mother.&nbsp;&nbsp;During the investigation into this case, detectives learned of a previously unreported incident from March 2024 where Florence threatened an ex-husband and his current girlfriend with a gun.

Sentencing day for Kan. mother who admitted killing 16-year-old son

SALINE COUNTY—Police arrested a Salina FedEx employee for allegedly making a threat to 'shoot up the business.'&nbsp;

Just after 2p.m. Wednesday,&nbsp; police were dispatched to FedEx, 3450 Centennial Road in Salina about an employee who made allegedly made threat a coworker, according to a media release from Salina Police.

Prior to the report, the suspect identified as 19-year -old Trenton Fears made a threat on Monday, October 13 to a coworker when they were on the jobsite. Allegedly the coworker said something to Fears, which prompted him to make the threat.

That same day, Fears went to another coworker and told them to 'not show up to work the following day.'&nbsp;

The next day, October 14, Fears told the coworker he threatened, that he would 'shoot the facility up.'

Management then called Salina Police on Wednesday regarding the threat. Fears was not at FedEx initially, but showed up at a later time and officers immediately arrived to the scene.&nbsp;

Fears was then arrested and booked into the Saline County Jail for the requested charge of Criminal Threat.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/10/1760658717901.png" alt="Fears photo Saline Co." />
 <figcaption>Fears photo Saline Co.</figcaption>
 </figure>SALINE COUNTY—Police arrested a Salina FedEx employee for allegedly making a threat to 'shoot up the business.'&nbsp;Just after 2p.m. Wednesday,&nbsp; police were dispatched to FedEx, 3450 Centennial Road in Salina about an employee who made allegedly made threat a coworker, according to a media release from Salina Police.Prior to the report, the suspect identified as 19-year -old Trenton Fears made a threat on Monday, October 13 to a coworker when they were on the jobsite. Allegedly the coworker said something to Fears, which prompted him to make the threat.That same day, Fears went to another coworker and told them to 'not show up to work the following day.'&nbsp;The next day, October 14, Fears told the coworker he threatened, that he would 'shoot the facility up.'Management then called Salina Police on Wednesday regarding the threat. Fears was not at FedEx initially, but showed up at a later time and officers immediately arrived to the scene.&nbsp;Fears was then arrested and booked into the Saline County Jail for the requested charge of Criminal Threat.

Kansas man accused of threat of violence to work place

SEDGWICK COUNTY —A Kansas man is going to prison for a double murder at a mobile home park in 2021.

On October 10, Judge Sean Hatfield sentenced 35-year-old&nbsp;&nbsp;Steven Fessenden to 188 months in the Kansas Department of Corrections, according to the Sedgwick County District Attorney's office.

In Augus, Fessenden pleaded guilty to second-degree murder and involuntary manslaughter.&nbsp;

On April 24,&nbsp; 2021 sheriff's deputies were sent to a check shots call at the Englewood mobile home park located at 3201 E MacArthur in Wichita, according to Sheriff's Lt. Benjamin Blick.

While responding, deputies received information that a man and woman were inside the residence with apparent gunshot wounds.

When deputies arrived, they had to force entry to the home. Inside the home, they located 42-year-old Nathan Brock and 41-year-old Trisha Benjamin deceased, according to Blick.

On April 26,&nbsp;Sedgwick County Sheriff’s detectives arrested and booked&nbsp; Fessenden of Wichita for the murder. He was not charged in the crime.

Sheriff’s deputies arrested Fessenden a second time in connection to the deaths.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/4/1619305057074.png" alt="Police tape near the fatal shooting investigation in April 2021 -photo courtesy KWCH" />
 <figcaption>Police tape near the fatal shooting investigation in April 2021 -photo courtesy KWCH</figcaption>
 </figure>SEDGWICK COUNTY —A Kansas man is going to prison for a double murder at a mobile home park in 2021.On October 10, Judge Sean Hatfield sentenced 35-year-old&nbsp;&nbsp;Steven Fessenden to 188 months in the Kansas Department of Corrections, according to the Sedgwick County District Attorney's office.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/10/1666976072271.png" alt="Fessenden photo Sedgwick County" />
 <figcaption>Fessenden photo Sedgwick County</figcaption>
 </figure>In Augus, Fessenden pleaded guilty to second-degree murder and involuntary manslaughter.&nbsp;On April 24,&nbsp; 2021 sheriff's deputies were sent to a check shots call at the Englewood mobile home park located at 3201 E MacArthur in Wichita, according to Sheriff's Lt. Benjamin Blick.While responding, deputies received information that a man and woman were inside the residence with apparent gunshot wounds.When deputies arrived, they had to force entry to the home. Inside the home, they located 42-year-old Nathan Brock and 41-year-old Trisha Benjamin deceased, according to Blick.On April 26,&nbsp;Sedgwick County Sheriff’s detectives arrested and booked&nbsp; Fessenden of Wichita for the murder. He was not charged in the crime.Sheriff’s deputies arrested Fessenden a second time in connection to the deaths.

Man going to prison for Kansas double-murder

MORRISTOWN, N.J. (AP) — Ace Frehley, the original lead guitarist and founding member of the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/kiss-band-history-2770bdbbf2f1f39049baf412864818c3">glam rock band Kiss</a>, who captivated audiences with his elaborate galactic makeup and smoking guitar, died Thursday. He was 74.

Frehley died peacefully surrounded by family in Morristown, New Jersey, following a recent fall, according to his agent.

Family members said in a statement that they are “completely devastated and heartbroken” but will cherish his laughter and celebrate the kindness he bestowed upon others.

Kiss, whose hits included “Rock and Roll All Nite” and “I Was Made for Lovin’ You," was known for its theatrical stage shows, with fire and fake blood spewing from the mouths of band members dressed in body armor, platform boots, wigs and signature black-and-white face paint.

Kiss' original lineup included Frehley, singer-guitarist Paul Stanley, tongue-wagging bassist Gene Simmons and drummer Peter Criss. Frehley’s is the first death among the four founding members.

Band members took on the personas of comic book-style characters — Frehley was known as “Space Ace” and “The Spaceman.” The New York-born entertainer and Rock &amp; Roll Hall of Famer often experimented with pyrotechnics, making his guitars glow, emit smoke and shoot rockets from the headstock.

“We are devastated by the passing of Ace Frehley,” Simmons and Stanley&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/ace-frehley-tributes-321626f046ed5c5e557f9c2aad28ada2">said in a joint statement.</a>&nbsp;“He was an essential and irreplaceable rock soldier during some of the most formative foundational chapters of the band and its history. He is and will always be a part of KISS’s legacy.”

Born Paul Daniel Frehley, he grew up in a musical family and began playing guitar at age 13. Before joining Kiss, he played in local bands around New York City and was a roadie for Jimi Hendrix at age 18.

Kiss was especially popular in the mid-1970s, selling tens of millions of albums and licensing its iconic look to become a marketing marvel. “Beth” was its biggest commercial hit in the U.S., peaking at No. 7 on the Billboard Top 100 in 1976.

As the Kennedy Center’s new chairman, President Donald Trump named Kiss as one of&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-kennedy-center-honorees-6c553c800ba334ad1ea47858b3dc271c">this year’s honorees</a>.

In 2024, the band sold their catalog, brand name and intellectual property to Swedish company Pophouse Entertainment Group in a deal estimated to be over $300 million.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/10/1760654042119.png" alt=" " />
 <figcaption> </figcaption>
 </figure>MORRISTOWN, N.J. (AP) — Ace Frehley, the original lead guitarist and founding member of the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/kiss-band-history-2770bdbbf2f1f39049baf412864818c3">glam rock band Kiss</a>, who captivated audiences with his elaborate galactic makeup and smoking guitar, died Thursday. He was 74.<div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">Our hearts are broken. Ace has passed on. No one can touch Ace’s legacy. I know he loved the fans. He told me many times. Sadder still, Ace didn’t live long enough to be honored at the Kennedy Ctr Honors event in Dec. Ace was the eternal rock soldier. Long may his legacy live on!&mdash; Gene Simmons (@genesimmons) <a href="https://twitter.com/genesimmons/status/1978970732836036970?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 16, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div><div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">The Kennedy Center is saddened to hear of the passing of one of this year’s Kennedy Center Honorees, Ace Frehley of the band KISS. We send our deepest condolences to his friends, his family, and millions of fans worldwide. We will be paying tribute to this &quot;rock soldier&quot;, his… <a href="https://t.co/7wkAHIufDE">pic.twitter.com/7wkAHIufDE</a>&mdash; The Kennedy Center (@kencen) <a href="https://twitter.com/kencen/status/1978953977959002162?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 16, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>Frehley died peacefully surrounded by family in Morristown, New Jersey, following a recent fall, according to his agent.Family members said in a statement that they are “completely devastated and heartbroken” but will cherish his laughter and celebrate the kindness he bestowed upon others.Kiss, whose hits included “Rock and Roll All Nite” and “I Was Made for Lovin’ You," was known for its theatrical stage shows, with fire and fake blood spewing from the mouths of band members dressed in body armor, platform boots, wigs and signature black-and-white face paint.Kiss' original lineup included Frehley, singer-guitarist Paul Stanley, tongue-wagging bassist Gene Simmons and drummer Peter Criss. Frehley’s is the first death among the four founding members.Band members took on the personas of comic book-style characters — Frehley was known as “Space Ace” and “The Spaceman.” The New York-born entertainer and Rock &amp; Roll Hall of Famer often experimented with pyrotechnics, making his guitars glow, emit smoke and shoot rockets from the headstock.“We are devastated by the passing of Ace Frehley,” Simmons and Stanley&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/ace-frehley-tributes-321626f046ed5c5e557f9c2aad28ada2">said in a joint statement.</a>&nbsp;“He was an essential and irreplaceable rock soldier during some of the most formative foundational chapters of the band and its history. He is and will always be a part of KISS’s legacy.”Born Paul Daniel Frehley, he grew up in a musical family and began playing guitar at age 13. Before joining Kiss, he played in local bands around New York City and was a roadie for Jimi Hendrix at age 18.Kiss was especially popular in the mid-1970s, selling tens of millions of albums and licensing its iconic look to become a marketing marvel. “Beth” was its biggest commercial hit in the U.S., peaking at No. 7 on the Billboard Top 100 in 1976.As the Kennedy Center’s new chairman, President Donald Trump named Kiss as one of&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-kennedy-center-honorees-6c553c800ba334ad1ea47858b3dc271c">this year’s honorees</a>.In 2024, the band sold their catalog, brand name and intellectual property to Swedish company Pophouse Entertainment Group in a deal estimated to be over $300 million.Frehley frequently feuded with Stanley and Simmons through the years. He left the band in 1982, missing the years when they took off the makeup and had mixed success. Stanley later said they nearly replaced Frehley with Eddie Van Halen, but Vinnie Vincent assumed the lead guitar role.Frehley performed both as a solo artist and with his band, Frehley’s Comet.But he rejoined Kiss in the mid-1990s for a triumphant reunion and restoration of their original style that came after bands including Nirvana, Weezer and the Melvins had expressed affection for the band and paid them musical tributes.He would leave again in 2002. When the original four entered the Rock &amp; Roll Hall of Fame in 2014, a dispute scrapped plans for them to perform. Simmons and Stanley objected to Criss and Frehley being inducted instead of then-guitarist Tommy Thayer and then-drummer Eric Singer.Simmons told Rolling Stone magazine that year that Frehley and Criss “no longer deserve to wear the paint.” “The makeup is earned,” he added. “Just being there at the beginning is not enough.”Frehley and Kiss also had a huge influence on the glammy style of 1980s so-called hair metal bands including Mötley Crüe and Poison.“Ace, my brother, I surely cannot thank you enough for the years of great music, the many festivals we’ve done together and your lead guitar on Nothing But A Good Time,” Poison front man&nbsp;<a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/DP4zYL-EpAq/?hl=en">Bret Michaels</a>&nbsp;said on Instagram.Harder-edged bands like Metallica and Pantera were also fans, and even country superstar Garth Brooks joined the band members for a recording of their “Hard Luck Woman” on a 1994 compilation.Frehley would appear occasionally with Kiss for shows in later years. A 2023 concert at Madison Square Garden was&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/kiss-digital-avatars-end-of-road-finale-37a8ae9905099343c7b41654b2344d0c">billed as the band’s last.</a>&nbsp;While Stanley and Simmons said they would not tour again, they’ve been open to the possibility of more concerts, and they’ve stayed active promoting the group’s music and memorabilia.